Bring comfort and happiness to your community

Few things are more rewarding than therapy dog work. Not only can you personally brighten the days of those who need companionship, but you get to witness first-hand the incredible impact a gentle, joyful dog can have on the lives of others.

Would you like to become a therapy dog volunteer?

Do you have (or know) a sweet-tempered dog that loves the whole world?

Then let’s work together to change lives for the better.

 

Our Membership Benefits

The chance to help. As a therapy dog volunteer, you can bring comfort and healing to hundreds of people in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Do you see a need in your community? Get trained and registered, and you can reach out to institutions where you know you can make a difference—from treatment facilities to community centers.

Volunteer insurance. Dogs are animals, not appliances with guarantees. Things can go wrong even with the best preparation, so all institutions visited by therapy dog volunteers require those volunteers to have insurance. With us, volunteer insurance is part of your membership.

Accessibility. We make it easy to find therapy dog training and someone who can test you. How? Any certified dog trainer can sign up to become an evaluator with us. That means thousands of qualified people across the country—and the opportunity for you to train and take your test regardless of where you live.

Peace of mind. With our Stability Standards, you can make visits knowing that a certified professional has assessed your dog’s behavior and obedience. What’s more, we support you every step of the way with ideas and answers to your questions, and by connecting you with other therapy dog teams.

 

How To Join

 

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify                  

Our members must fulfill these criteria:

        ·         Having passed the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen exam. (The exam must have been taken when the dog is at least one year old.)

·         Having successfully completed an intermediate/advanced dog training class such as Rally-O, Canine Good Citizen, agility, therapy dog class, tricks class, AKC obedience, etc.

·         Dog must have up-to-date vaccinations and be in good health.

·         Dog must be at least one year old.

 

Do you have documentation of all of the above? Then you’re ready for the next step: the evaluation. (Don’t have the qualifications yet? We can help connect you to someone who can help you reach your goals.)

 

Step 2: Get Evaluated

 

1.      Find an evaluator. We can help you find an evaluator in your area—or a certified dog trainer willing to register with us as an evaluator. Contact us for more info.

2.      Get evaluated. Set up a time with your evaluator and pay him or her the $25 fee. Provided you successfully complete the evaluation, you’re nearly done! Download full evaluation information below.

3.      Send us your photo. We need a current photo of you and your dog for your ID card. Upon passing your therapy dog evaluation, send your photo to info@nationaltherapydogregistry.com

 

Congratulations! Once we receive your evaluation results from the evaluator and your team photo, we’ll create your ID card (to be carried at all times while visiting as a therapy dog team) and send it to you.

 

Ministry

 Are you interested in the ministry side of therapy dog work? Then please email Christine Kelly, ckelly@K9to5.us to find out more.

 

"I find such joy in watching a person’s face light up and my dog’s tail wag uncontrollably as they meet and greet each other—truly heaven on earth!” –Jeni Duhe